Water → Ethyl 2-hydroxycyclopentanecarboxylate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of 2-oxo-cyclopentanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester (10 g, 64.0 mmol) in ethanol (106.7 mL) cooled to 0° C. was treated with 98% sodium borohydride (686 mg, 17.78 mmol). The reaction was stirred at 0° C. for 30 min. At this time, the reaction mixture was poured into water (53 mL) and was extracted into diethyl ether 3×100 mL). The organics were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. Flash chromatography (Merck Silica gel 60, 230-400 mesh, 75/25 ethyl acetate/hexanes) afforded 2-hydroxy-cyclopentanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester (8.5 g, 83.9%) as a clear liquid.

Provenance & Evidence